TORONTO – Okay, Raptors. Who was that guy in the purple No. 15 uniform last night and what did you do with Vince Carter?

After all, Carter had struggled in the series. He was being slapped around verbally by teammates. But this guy last night, from the moment he stepped on the court before Game 4 even tipped off, you saw the difference. And if you missed it then, you saw it the instant he lost Latrell Sprewell and swooped in for a thunderous poster-worthy dunk.

“I almost hurt myself,” Carter said with a laugh – laughs have been hard to come by in the series for him – regarding the dunk that put the Raptors up at 6-4. “That was the first open dunk I had all series. My eyes felt as big as my face.”

Almost as big as his contribution. The guy who had come under blistering scrutiny in this series and daily criticism from teammate Charles Oakley, erupted for a career playoff high 32 points to lead the 100-93 Raptor victory. Additionally, Carter grabbed seven rebounds, passed for four assists, blocked a couple shots and made two steals.

“We settled in and played Toronto Raptors basketball,” said Carter who actually settled in and played the Vince Carter basketball which was his trademark during the regular season but was as rare as an August blizzard in the playoffs.

“It doesn’t matter about his scoring,” said teammate Antonio Davis, who earlier in the day had defended the criticisms of Oakley aimed at Carter. “All the other things are what excite me and excite [Oakley]. He’s under there rebounding getting put backs and blocking shots and taking charge. That’s when we know he’s ready to play.”

Carter said he knew early in the day when he got up. He felt it. He sensed it. He wanted to play “right then.” But he had to wait. And it was worth it. For observers, that one dunk was worth it. And if Oakley’s barbs were designed as a motivational took, then they were worth it.

Despite what Carter says, Oakley’s latest shot to his pride had to hit home. They came Tuesday when he challenged the star to step up and “be a man” in Game 4. He was more. He was super, man.

“I love Oak for his honesty,” said Antonio Davis. “One thing you’re going to get from Oak is what he honestly feels and if we as a team or any individual can’t understand or won’t understand, then that’s on you.”